Crossword Genius

Dry and incompetent editor sang (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

serenaded

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'sang' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with creating things as well as being past participle verbs.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'dry and incompetent editor' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'dry' could be 'sere' (similar in meaning) and 'sere' is found in the answer.
an anagram of 'and' is 'nad' which is present in the answer.
'editor' could be 'ed' (abbreviation) and 'ed' is located in the answer.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for serenaded that I've seen before include "Sung to (from below window)" , "Sang or played for somebody special" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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